Quiet Stories is an Auckland based video game developer, dedicated to telling interactive stories and tackling New Zealand's youth mental health problem. However there is one thing we care about more than making games, and that's playing games! Every week on this blog we share podcasts, videos and articles where we celebrate, analyse and interview other incredibly talented developers in the industry. So for an abundance of gaming content check out Quiet Stories on Twitter (OurQuietStories) or on YouTube and Facebook (Quiet Stories).

Quiet Stories’ Book Club: October 2018

This is the Quiet Stories’ Book Club, a monthly series where we challenge you to beat at least one of the games on our list. We’ll have expansive and time consuming games, for gamers on a limited budget. We’ll have smaller, more digestible titles, for gamers with little spare time. We’ll showcase a variety of genres and platforms. We’ll recommend the newest, most talked about games, and some older titles that you probably heard about but didn’t give the time of day to. The point is, we’ll have something to cater to everyone’s needs. Hopefully you’ll end up trying something new or discover a hidden gem.

Outlast 2

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch and PC

Estimated Time to Finish: 7.5 Hours

Despite being a massive fan of horror films, I’ve never been big on horror games. Often it feels too tense and stressful for me to desire playing one after a long day at work. However Outlast 2 is a fantastic game I highly recommend, due to its relatively relaxed story mode and the fact that it can be played entirely on Switch. Handheld mode is a lot less scary…

Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom

Platforms: PlayStation 4 and PC

Estimated Time to Finish: 40 Hours

I genuinely believe that the original Ni No Kuni was one of the greatest JRPG’s of the last generation, and it looks like it’s sequel is just as remarkable. Revenant Kingdom’s story lacks the level of depth and charm found in the first game, but is redeemed by a vastly improved combat system and open world loop.

Destroy All Humans

Platforms: PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Estimated Time to Finish: 10 Hours

Let’s take a step back into the past and replay one of the greatest PlayStation 2 games of all time. It didn’t garner mainstream critical success, but anyone who has played Destroy All Humans will tell you that it was a gem of the era. It’s wacky open world and 1950’s extra-terrestrial plot is still unique and a blast to play over a decade after release.

Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC

Estimated Time to Finish: 1.5 Hours

Disappointed by Marvel Vs Capcom: Infinite’s lack of X-Men characters and overall style? Go back and play what many call the greatest entry in this fighting game series. It’s boasting an awesome art style and fast paced and technical combat.

Devil May Cry (2013): Definitive Edition

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC

Estimated Time to Finish: 9 Hours

This reboot of the DMC franchise by Ninja Theory (Developers of Hellblade) faced far harsher criticism than it deserved. Panned for being cringey and not what fans wanted, this hack n’ slash action game is brimming with style and some of the most satisfying melee combat in recent memory.

Super Hot

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC

Estimated Time to Finish: 2 Hours

Possibly one of the best games of this generation, Super Hot takes the first person genre and spins it on it’s head. The world only moves when you move, so unlike Call of Duty, Super Hot is about taking your time and being precise, so that when you watch the replay you feel like an actual assassin. Plus the story is arguably one of the best narratives this generation.

Detroit: Become Human

Platforms: PlayStation 4

Estimated Time to Finish: 12 Hours

Quantic Dream has proven they are a bit of a hit or miss studio. Heavy Rain is arguably one of the best PlayStation 3 exclusives of all time, while Beyond: Two Souls failed to grab anyone’s interest. Luckily Detroit is the studio back on form. It’s the most visually impressive console game to date and it’s incredibly diverse network of choices and outcomes kept it’s sci fi dystopian story riveting from start to finish.

Yakuza 0

Platforms: PlayStation 4 and PC

Estimated Time to Finish: 32 Hours

The Yakuza series is very much an acquired taste. A comprehensive and at times laborious story that is told entirely in Japanese, with occasional hand to hand combat and bizarre side quests. Yakuza 0, a prequel to the first game, set in the 1980’s, is no different. Watch a review because this is one of the few games that really is meant for a niche audience.